Outlet box connector



Aug. 14, 1951 I PA|5E 2,564,341

OUTLET BOX CONNECTOR Filed March 25, 1949 INVENIOR.

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Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OUTLET BOX CONNECTOR Isaac A. Paige, Chicago, Ill.

"vide a connector of the type described which comprises an integral one-piece tube-like spring metal member adapted to be radially contracted to permit insertion in the outlet box and retain the same therein and which is provided with a radially inwardly and axially forwardl directed spring finger for engagement with a conduit passed through the connector to resiliently retain the conduit in position in the connector.

It is another object of the invention to provide a connector of the type described comprising a one-piece tube-like section of resilient material which is longitudinally slotted to permit radial contraction for insertion in the knockout hole of the outlet box, which includes a radially inwardly and axially forwardly extending resilient finger or tongue adapted to engage a conduit passed through the connector and radially directed stop members extending inwardly of the resilient finger and limiting the rearward movement of the same when axial force is applied to the conduit to thereby prevent withdrawal of the conduit from the connector.

These and other objects andv advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the preferred form of the invention which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a one-piece connector embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the connector;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2; and r Fig. 4 is a view partially in section showing the connector installed in the knockout hole of an outlet bo'x' andsecuring' an electrical conduit therein.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated connector comprises a tubular section In constructed of spring material such as, for example, spring steel. The section I is provided with a slot II extending the full length of the section which is of sufficient width to permit substantial contraction of the section by gripping or squeezing the Application March 25, 1949, Serial No. 83,447

4 Claims. (01. 285-) same between the jaws of a pair of pliers or the like.

The forward edge of the section II] is bent outwardly to provide an end abutment flange or shoulder [2. A plurality of projecting dimples or tongues [3 are struck outwardly in spaced circumferential relation around the periphery of the section I!) at a sufiicient distance from the shoulder l2 to accommodate the edge of the wall l4 around the knockout hole l5 when the connector is installed in a conventional outlet box [6.

The section II] is provided with a reversely bent strip-like finger or tongue portion I! which extends radially inwardly and axially forwardly from the other end of the-connector. The strip portion I1 is preferably an extension of the wall of the section In and is integral therewith as illustrated. It is curved or bent inwardly and forwardly of the section to provide'a resilient retaining finger or tongue for engaging the surface of a conduit is when the latter is inserted in or passed through the section Ill. The finger I! is relatively Wide and extends transversely of the section I 0. It is weakened by slots I 8 at the bottom where it connects with the wall of section Hi to insure that it will bend or spring about a point adjacent the same. At its inner end the finger I 1 is provided with a rounded or curved portion l9, and on the upper surface of the same ridge formations or corrugations 20 are provided to bite into the surface of the conduit and insure nonslipping enga ement with the same.

The section I0 is provided with radially inwardly extending stop or abutment members 2| which project rearwardly of the finger I! and provide a limit or stop for any rearward movement of the finger l1, thus insuring that the conduit l8 will not be withdrawn when axial force is applied to the same because of rearward movement of the finger IT. The stop members 2| limit the rearward movement of the finger I! in such a manher as to prevent any substantial movement of the finger in that direction.

The section I!) is provided at its rearward edge in opposed relation to the end l9 of the finger I! with a ridge-like formation 22 formed by an extension of the wall of the section H) which is bent radially inwardly and then outwardly. The ridge formation 22 engages the surface of the conduit is opposite the corrugations 20 on the finger l1 and cooperates with the same to hold the conduit [8 in clampin engagement between the finger l1 and the portions of the section 01 posite the same.

The connector is adapted to be first positioned in the outlet hole l5 by contracting the section I!) with a pair of pliers or similar tool and inserting the contracted connector in the hole [5 with the tongues or dimples l3 engaging the outer surface of the Wall 1 5 and the flange l2 engaging the inner surface of the same after the connector has been released and allowed to expand in the hole. The conduit is is then inserted by moving the same in an axial direction through the section I Q against the resilient pressure of. the spring finger ll. W'heninserted the desired distance to bring the free end of the conduit I8 within the outlet box It any axial force applied to the conduit [8 in the direction tic-withdraw the same from the connector is resisted by the ber 2|.

tends to clamp the conduit more tightl between the endwof the finger I? and the opposite wall portions of the connector.

While-specific materials and details of .construction have been referred to in. describing the illustrated form of. the invention, it will be understood .that other materials and other details of construction may be resorted to .within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. .A connector for securing an electricaloutlet conduitin a hole in an outletbox, comprisin -a one-piece hollowtube-like section of thin resilient sheet metal, said section being provided witha slot of-v substantial width extending longitudinallythroughout the length of the section; said section being resiliently contractible to reduce the circumference thereof for insertion-and expansionin the hole, said section having formed integrally with one end thereof a reversely bent tongue-of substantial width which extends radially and axiallywithin the body of said section,

saidtongue having a curved inner end'adapted to be positioned with the outer curved surface thereof in resilient clamping engagement with one-side of a conduit inserted in the section,- and;

a reversely bent ridge forming extension on said onetend arranged in opposed relation-to said. tongue for clamping engagement with the oppo-- siteside of said conduit.

2. A connector for securing an electrical'outlet conduit in a hole in an outlet box; comprising a one-piece hollow tube-like section of thin re'- silient-sheet metal, said section 'beingprovided with a slot extending longitudinally throughout the. length'of the section, the edges of-theseetion-which define the slot being substantially spaced apart to render the section resiliently contractible to reduce the circumference thereof for insertion and expansion in the hole, said section: havinglformedintegrally with one end thereof a reversely bent tongue of substantial width which extends radially and axially within the body of said section, said tongue havinga curved inner endfor resilient clampingengagement with a conduit insertedwithin the section, said tongue havin weakened portions adjacent the edge of said section and said section having spaced out wardly directed abutments adjacent the; other end thereof for engagement with the opposite sides of the hole of the outlet box to prevent endwise movement of the section subsequent to its insertion and expansion in the hole.

3. A connector for securing an electrical outlet conduit in a hole in an outlet box, comprising a one-piece hollow tube-like section of thin resilient sheet metal, said section being provided with a slot extending longitudinally throughout theflengthof .the. section, the edges of the section' whichdefine the" slot I being substantially spaced apart to render the section resiliently contractible to reduce the circumference thereof for insertion and expansion in the hole, said section havin formed integrally with one end thereof-.a reversely bent tongue of substantial width which extends radially and axially within the body "of said section, said tongue having a curved inner end for resilient clamping engagement with a conduit positioned in the section and; permitting. ready. insertionof the conduit from one .endof the section and saidsection'having, formed integral therewith longitudinally spaced outwardly directed abutments .adjacent theother end. thereof for-engagement with the opposite sidesof the holeof theoutlet .box to prevent endwise movement of the-section-subsequent toits insertion and expansion in the hole.

4. A connector for securing an electrical outlet conduit in a hole in an outlet box, comprising a one-piece hollow tube-like sectionof thin :resilient sheetv metal, said. section .being provided with a slot extending longitudinally throughout the..length.of. the section,. the. edges of these:- tion which define the slot..being substantially spaced apart. to render. the .section resiliently oontractiblelto reduce thecircumference thereof for insertion and expansion. inthe hole, said section having formed integrally with one end thereof a reversely bent tongue of substantial width which extends.radiallyinwardly and axially forwardly within thebody of said section, said tongue havin a curved inner end provided with corrugations on .the outersurface thereof for resilientl clamping a conduit within the section and permitting .ready insertion of the conduit from one end of the section into clamped engagement with said tongue, said section having integrally formed stop members-which project radially inwardly of the. same end thereof into the path of rearward. movement of said tongue and said section also having .formed integral therewith longitudinally spaced outwardly directed abutments adjacent. the other-end thereof for engagement with the opposite sides .ofthe hole of the outlet box to prevent. endwise. move-- ment of the section subsequent to its. insertion and expansion in the hole. 1

ISAAC A.. PAIGE.

REFERENCES CITED The-following'references are of record ini'the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 1 Date 2,457,235. Hoehn "Dec. 28.11948 2,466,504 Stoyer Apr. 5,1949. 

